RNC rejects conservative-backed rules changes

Proposals would have undone convention 'power grab'

Published: 04/13/2013 at 4:34 PM

(Washington Times) Republican National Committee members failed to reach a compromise over rules changes pushed by the party’s grass-roots activists, defeating on a 28-25 vote a proposed amendment that would return more decision-making power to the state Republican parties.

The defeat angered conservative GOP activists who complained that changes pushed through last year by the campaign of 2012 presidential nominee Mitt Romney were a “power grab” that concentrated too much power in the party’s central machinery, whose priorities include nominating a candidate considered wealthy enough and moderate enough to win a national election.